The Bozeman weekly chronicle., 1887-03-30

he did not venture to say another word,
and allowed lack TO depart without
further interruption. To tell the truth,
he felt vaguely uneasy at the threat which
had been addressed to him, without quite
knowing why He could not conceive that
it was within the power of his nephew to
do him any harm, and yet his cowardly
nature WINGED at what he regarded as an
empty boast However, he was not suf-
ficently impressed to be deferred from
carrying out his intention. If it had only
been question of embarrassing his
nephew, he might have resisted the tempta-
ton, out of the abundance Of his caution.
! But he was rather proud of his acquaint-
ance with Mr.. Martineau, who MS a rich
and successful speculator in his own line
of business, was the object of his peculiar
regard and yencration.s Anything he
could do which might be interpreted into
favor or obligation would no doubt in
the end prove profitable to himself, and he
could not doubt that he would earn Mr..
Martineau's gratitude by opening his eyes
to his daughters engagement, and warn
ing him of his woult-bc son-in-law's char
acter and prospects. Old Josiah Flegg
was too grasping to lose the least oppor
tunity of promoting the interests of his
business, while he was mean enough not
to be overscrupulous about the methods
he employed.
He therefore put on his hat and called
Immediately at Mr.. Martineau's office,
where, to his great relief, he saw no sign
of Jack. He had the satisfaction of i'm
| parting to his friend the first intimation
of his daughters engagement and of re-
ceiving his warm thanks for his trouble.
He was n little disappointed to find that
Mr.. Martineau, though as aycrsc as other
rich men to n poor son in-law, showed
considerable liking for Jack, and spoke
half regretfully of putting stop to the
engagement, as though very little per-
suasion from an influential quarter would
have made him sanction it. But old Jo-
siah was careful not to urge his nephew's
suit, and to account for his reticcnce lie
felt impelled to drop few insignificant
hints about Jacks character from his
point Of view. The result was that Mr..
Martineau was seized with sudden iudig-
nation, for he sat down then and there
and penned a brief note to poor Jack
which could hardly fail to convince him Of
the utter hopelessness of his aspirations.
Old Josiah endeavored to convince him
| self that he had only discharged an un-
pleasant, but unavoidable, duty; but he
did not enjoy his triumph so much rs he
had anticipated. Jacks words of warn.
ing still rang in his ears, and consequently
when his nephew was announced the fol,
lowing afternoon, he felt disagrecably ap.
prehensive.
81 have had a note from Mr. Martineau,
uncle" said the young man, seating him
self gravely; "and as it arrived before
had time to call upon him, it Is evident
that l am indebted to your kind Offices"
81 told you / should inform Mr.. Mar
| tinpau ~ Sni1 n11 Insinh pulpn IN
hide his confusion.
| "And told you that You would repent
doing So" retortcd Jack, with ominous
calmess. "Now, Uncle Josiah, your un-
friendly conduct has just .nerved me TO
perform, on my part nn unpleasant duty.
have had it on my mind 10 speak 10 you
for some time, but the fear of hurting your
feelings has hitherto restrained he. How
ever, you haven't spared my feelings, have
you, uncle2'
'What are you driving at'' inquired old
Josiah sharply.
81 want to know, Uncle Josiah, whether
my fathers money, of which you are sole
trustee, is invested in accordance with the
terms Of his will2'' said Jack, gravely.
Old Josiah started as though he had
been stung, and turned crimson all over
his bald head
What do you meanF' he cried, pom
porsly. "Have you come here to accuse
your fathers brother of thefts''
mo, Uncle Josiah / am sure that
every farthing of the money is intact, said
Jack, with evident sincerity. "But how
is it invested That is the question"
"What concern is that of yoursyn roared
old Josiah. at is my affair, and am
responsible"
Il want to ask You plain question,
Uncle Josiah, said Jack, looking straight
Mt him. as it not the fact that the
whole of my fathers money is invested in
your businessY'
"What if it iss' exclaimed old Josiah,
defiantly, so taken aback that he was un.
able to utter the denial which rose invol.
UNFAIRLY to his lips.
II have long suspected this" said
Jack, "and, though I have hestatcd to
bronch the subject, my mind is fully
made up as to the course to take The
money must be properly invested i'm
mediately"
'Poohl you don't know what You are
talking about" cried his uncle, getting
redder and hotter and more uneasy every
moment.
eyes, do, and have taken proper ad-
vice. Unless you will promise me that
the money shall be Immediately with
drawn from the risks Of your business
shall bring an action against you in chan
cery," said Jack, quietly.
Uncle Josiah was too much upset and
startled to make any reply to this, and
his nephew, observing that he might wish
to think the matter over, took his leave,
remarking that he would call the next
day for his decision. Left to himself, old
Josiah passed very uncomfortable quar-
M, in moi f,,lI, l;,;.,
full force of his nephew's demand. The
fact was that though his deceased broth
er's fortune was intact, the withdrawal
OF so large sum of capital from his bust
ness at themoment was exceedingly incon-
Venient. Old Josiah was not so rich as
was commonly supposed, and his av-
aricious nature had induced him to in
dulge in stock exchange speculations,
with disastrous results. Consequently he
had found the trust funds more than use
ful, and, in fact, almost indispensable, to
the conduct of his business. To be called
upon to invest this money in an author
lied way was most unpleasant request,
and it is probable that Jack little foresaw
how full and complete was his retaliation
for his uncle's harshness.
Old Josiah, however, where his pocket
was concerned, was never disposed to give
way easily, and, after a sleepless night,
he came to the conclusion that he might
safely put his nephew off with promises,
and invest the money properly at more
convenient period. Besides, he could not
believe that his brothers son would 90 TO
law To compel him to remedy what was,
after all, only II technical breach of duty.
lie therefore wrote lis nephew a brief let
ter, stating coldly that as soon as paying
Investments could be found the money
n DhnIl Ia hE, 1tn1